The Role of Attribution Theory in Personnel Employment Selection: A Review of the Recent Literature

Abstract

Abstract The role of attribution theory in recent research on personnel employment selection is reviewed. First, the influence of applicant attributions upon the job search process and initial job success is examined. Then the attributions of potential employers are examined in terms of various selection instruments—resumes, letters of recommendation, employment interviews, and employment testing. Finally, a preliminary general model of attribution in selection is presented. Limitations and new directions for applying attribution theory to personnel selection are discussed.